The 32-year-old was left with life-threatening head injuries after his car ploughed into the back of a stationary lorry.

Police said the smash happened on the westbound carriageway near Haughley, around 12.13am.

A silver Vauxhall Insignia went into the back of a lorry that was parked in a lay-by.

The casualty was taken to West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St Edmunds, before later being transferred to the neuro critical care unit at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.

Suffolk Accident Rescue Service, who attended the incident, said road conditions at the time were treacherous with snow and ice.

It said patchy fog had reduced visibility to as little as 20 metres in some places.

A spokesperson for the ambulance service said: “The casualty was initially trapped and emergency crews worked very hard in difficult conditions to treat and stabilise the patient as quickly as possible.

“He was primarily transported to West Suffolk General and has now been moved to Addenbrookes Hospital where he remains in a critical condition.”

Four fire crews were scrambled to the scene and used specialist equipment to cut the man - who police believe lives in Suffolk - free from the vehicle.

One lane of the eastbound carriageway is likely to remain closed throughout the morning rush hour, while the vehicles are cleared and crash investigators examine the scene.